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US 8,276,144 B2Granted
Electronic device workspace restriction
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsMichael J. Burkhart, Vitaly V. Marin, Eduardo L. Reyes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The drive for multi-tasking and/or availability of numerous applications can interfere with productivity. Constant interruptions from email and real-time online communication can lead to decreased productivity. In addition, attempting to tackle a massive number of different projects with different applications can impede progress on any one of the projects. Functionality can be implemented in a workspace to focus interaction with one or more applications in the workspace. Focused interaction allows a user to limit distractions (e.g., email notifications, instant message notifications, etc) and restrict activities not related to his or her current task.
Claims18
A method comprising:
- receiving an indication of a first of a plurality of tasks;
- accessing a policy associated with the first of the plurality of tasks;
- determining that a restricted activity state is to be imposed on an electronic device workspace based, on the policy that is associated with the first of the plurality of tasks and an application related activity, wherein the restricted activity state imposes use of a first set of one or more applications on the electronic device and preventing use of a second set of one or more applications on the electronic device, wherein the application related activity comprises:
- accumulation of a first time period of a user working with the first set of one or more applications,
- expiration of a lack of activity second time period for the second set of one or more applications,
- a first activity to launch one of the first set of applications,
- a second activity to close one of the second set of one or more applications, and
- activation of one or more lock controls of the second set of one or more applications;
- restricting the electronic device workspace to the first set of one or more applications that correspond to the application related activity and the policy;
- and
- preventing the second set of one or more applications from intruding into the electronic device workspace during the restricted activity state.
8 more elements
One or more computer storage having stored therein a program product, which when executed a set of one or more processor units causes the set of one or more processor units to perform operations that comprise:
- receiving an indication of a first of a plurality of tasks;
- accessing a policy associated with the first of the plurality of tasks;
- determining that a restricted activity state is to be imposed on an electronic device workspace based on the policy that is associated with the first of the plurality of tasks and an application related activity, wherein the restricted activity state imposes use of a first set of one or more applications on the electronic device and preventing use of a second set of one or more applications on the electronic device, wherein the application related activity comprises:
- accumulation of a first time period of a user working with the first set of one or more applications,
- expiration of a lack of activity second time period for the second set of one or more applications,
- a first activity to launch one of the first set of applications,
- a second activity to close one of the second set of one or more applications, and
- activation of one or more lock controls of the second set of one or more applications;
- restricting the electronic device workspace to the first set of one or more applications that correspond to the application related activity and the policy;
- and
- preventing the second set of one or more applications from intruding into the electronic device workspace during the restricted activity state.
8 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a set of one or more processor units;
- memory;
- and
- one or more machine-readable media having stored therein a program product, which when executed a set of one or more processor units causes the set of one or more processor units to perform operations that comprise,
- receiving an indication of a first of a plurality of tasks;
- accessing a policy associated with the first of the plurality of tasks;
- determining that a restricted activity state is to be imposed on an electronic device workspace based on the policy that is associated with the first of the plurality of tasks and an application related activity, wherein the restricted activity state imposes use of a first set of one or more applications on the electronic device and preventing use of a second set of one or more applications on the electronic device, wherein the application related activity comprises:
- accumulation of a first time period of a user working with the first set of one or more applications,
- expiration of a lack of activity second time period for the second set of one or more applications,
- a first activity to launch one of the first set of applications,
- a second activity to close one of the second set of one or more applications, and
- activation of one or more lock controls of the second set of one or more applications;
- restricting the electronic device workspace to the first set of one or more applications that correspond to the application related activity and the policy;
- and
- preventing the second set of one or more applications from intruding into the electronic device workspace during the restricted activity state.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.